State Rep Smith pleads not guilty to bribery charge

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:38:32 CDTBy: AP

An Illinois state lawmaker accused of bribery says he intends to fight the charge. State Rep. Derrick Smith pleaded not guilty Monday at his arraignment in federal court. Today marked Smith's first public comments about the case. Smith says he wants to clear his name and looks forward to his day in court. Smith told reporters after the hearing that the people in his district voted to keep him in office after his arrest and he intends to stay there. The Chicago Democrat has been charged with accepting a bribe in exchange for using his influence to obtain a state grant for a daycare center. Smith's attorney, Victor Henderson, says his client is innocent and he has no intentions of leaving office.